Aston Villa defender could make an unlikely return

Aston Villa defender Tommy Elphick could see his proposed move to Reading fall through because the Villans may need him themselves, according to the Birmingham Mail.

There is a lot of uncertainty at Villa Park currently, with the crippling financial pressures the club are under leading to big decisions needing to be made, and while the former Bournemouth star is all set to leave, a twist could soon be on the cards.

Elphick was on loan at the Madejski Stadium for the second half of last season, although a knee injury hampered the amount of appearances he was able to make for the Royals. Despite that issue he clearly impressed Paul Clement enough for the boss of the Berkshire outfit to want to sign him permanently.

The financial situation at Villa Park has already seen John Terry leave the club, and as the possibility of Villa having to cash in on their stars remain, they could also lose James Chester, who had a fantastic campaign as the Villans made it all the way to the Championship play-off final, before their dream of a Premier League return was ruthlessly snuffed out by Fulham.

That could all leave the Birmingham based club needing to call on the services of Elphick once again, with additions to the squad looking unlikely until the uncertainty has eased.

The 30-year-old arrived at Villa Park in 2016 but last played for the Villans in January when he featured in the 5-0 win over Bristol City. That was all set to be his final appearance in a Villa shirt, but that may no longer be the case.

Reading were all set to complete a deal to take the defender to the Madejski, but talks between the two clubs are said to have stalled, with the Royals now believing there is little chance of them getting their man.

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